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Shopping

When it comes to consumer pursuits, Madrid certainly vies for attention with other European cities like London and Paris. You'll find everything from designer outlets to small boutiques and flea markets to major department stores. Most shops stay open through the afternoon siesta, especially around the major shopping areas like the Gran Vía, but some independent businesses do traditionally close for lunch between 2 and 5pm.

A Sunday-morning wander around the around El Rastro flea market (Sun 9am-3pm; www.esmadrid.com) should rank almost as high on your to-do list as a visit to the Prado. Spread over the pedestrian-only area around Calle Ribera de Curtidores, in the Lavapiés district, this famed market throngs with tourists, pickpockets (do watch your valuables here!), and seemingly endless stalls selling cheap bric-a-brac ranging from CDs to flip-flops and watches to antique furniture. Much of the merchandise is likely to be junk, but eagle-eyed connoisseurs may spot some bargains.

To pick up mementos of Madrid, head to Casa Jiménez (Calle Preciados 42; 091/548-0526) for gorgeous shawls and capes, or to El Arco de Cuchilleros (Plaza Mayor 9; 091/365-2680) for souvenir items like botas de vino (leather wine containers), azulejo tiles, and handicrafts. Flamenco paraphernalia can be found at Flamenco Vive (Calle Conde de Lemos 7; 091/547- 3917; www.elflamencovive.es), an excellent specialty shop selling everything from rare music to colorful dresses and castanets.

For upscale shopping, head to where Madrid's high society does: Calle Serrano and Ortega y Gasset in the Salamanca district. This is where you'll find the latest in high-end designer goods by big international names like Armani and Gucci as well as high-profile Spanish designers such as Adolfo Domínguez (Calle Serrano 18 and 96; 091/576-7053 or 091/577-8280 ; www.adolfo-dominguez.com) and Agatha Ruiz de la Prada (Calle Serrano 27; 091/319-0501; www.agatharuizdelaprada.com).

Madrid's department stores range from the books and music outlet of FNAC (Calle Preciados 28; 091/595-6129; www.fnac.es) to El Corte Ingles (www.elcorteingles.es), Spain's leading emporium with over 20 branches around the city. Spain's internationally renowned chain stores, like Zara and Mango, line Gran Vía and Calle Fuencarral, on the edge of the Chueca neighborhood, where you'll also find trendy streetwear shops like Diesel. For offbeat clothes and assorted funky items, browse the one-off boutiques of Malasaña.